She was working as a switchboard operator in the District Building the night of the Knickerbocker theater disaster on January 28, 1922. She was first hired at the Fire Board (DCFD), and was later assigned to the D.C. city govt. operations. Back then, there were less than 40,000 phones in service (in the city) but each call had to be routed manually via a switchboard when it was placed. Her efforts most likely required her to work very closely with the local telephone company who themselves had 3 workers also working as a de facto emergency operations center the night of the snowstorm. The storm caused the roof of the theater to collapse, trapping many inside and killing some. All of the operators received notice in the press for their efforts, one of whom was Ruth Cooke who was given a special award. No word if Viola got anything for her efforts. She left a sister and a niece.
Ruth Cooke
Ruth Cooke
She was working as a switchboard operator in the District Building the night of the Knickerbocker theater disaster on January 28, 1922. She was first hired at the Fire Board (DCFD), and was later assigned to the D.C. city govt. operations. Back then, there were less than 40,000 phones in service (in the city) but each call had to be routed manually via a switchboard when it was placed. Her efforts most likely required her to work very closely with the local telephone company who themselves had 3 workers also working as a de facto emergency operations center the night of the snowstorm. The storm caused the roof of the theater to collapse, trapping many inside and killing some. All of the operators received notice in the press for their efforts, one of whom was Ruth Cooke who was given a special award. No word if Viola got anything for her efforts. She left a sister and a niece.
Ruth Cooke
Ruth Cooke
Gravesite Details
Find A Grave contributor Don Quixote located her gravesite (which is unmarked) with the help of the office at the cemetery.
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